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The Secret Of Unhappiness: Luke 15:11-30

About This Message

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:11-30(NIV)

Jesus told numerous stories, some of which were called parables (stories ‘tossed out along the way’). These stories held the attention of his listeners and gave them insights into human nature and spiritual truth.

You too can become a good storyteller, if you can master the five movements of a good story.

Learn these keywords to remember the movements:

1. OOPS – Every story opens up into conflict, as a problem arises.
2. UGH – Then the problem gets worse – attempts to fix it all fail.
3. AHA – Just when it appears all is lost, a solution appears on the horizon.
4. WHEE – The solution works through a process and the conflict is resolved.
5. YES – The characters (and the listeners) enjoy a final moment of relief.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, the Older Son becomes another “oops” at the end.

You can avoid living that kind of existence by taking these actions:

1. Express GRATITUDE

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)